So, we know Under-Age Magic isn't allowed outside of school, right?

I was confused as to the limits of this law, because when he makes the glass in the Zoo disappear, is that not magic? Or does this Law only apply when the child is attending school?

Also, because although he hasn't got a wand, he still does a form of Magic. Is that because everyone can to get themselves out of trouble (non-muggles obviously) or is Harry a "chosen one" which we know he is, but in a different sense if I'm making sense! :eyeroll:

Helen

Helen, that was a daft mistake in the film! :eyeroll: . I think the decree only applies to people living within the magical community. Harry was not a part of that community when he freed the boa. He was when he inflated Aunt Marge. As with many laws, the MoM simply chooses to enforce laws more strictly with some people.

I've wondered about how Hermione practices, too. Maybe they are allowed to perform simple magic when there are no Muggles around. or when there are no Muggles that don't know about them around (ie parents are allowed). In COS, the Mason's were over when Dobby dumped the pudding.

As for the Weasley's, there's so much magic at their house, the Ministry can't tell who's doing what!!.

Liam

:lol: lol, that is so true, so true :P

Well, that is really alot of rules that the MoM has to go through, good thing that there are different departments to handle the accidents that happen.

~*Mari*~

Hmm yeah.

I'm guessing it's because he didn't do it purposely, or because he wasn't using a wand. Either way, it wasn't Harry's fault.

-N

They can hardly blame Harry. He didn't know magic existed until Hagrid told him. I agree that the rules only seem to apply to those living in the wizarding community and those in the muggle community who know they can do magic and have been to Hogwarts so know they are underage.

You can't punish someone for doing something they don't know about. When he made the glass disappear, he was ignorant that he was a wizard, so it's not his fault. When he blew up Marge, he knew what was happening, ergo him being responisible.

That's what I think. :)

Elizabeth

Ok I have a question about under age magic. At the beginning of film three Harry is obviously casting the Lumos spell. Doesn't that constitute as Under Age magic or are some spells exempt from the law?

Ooo, good point! Major mistake there!

(My 500th post! I can't believe it!)

Congratulations on the 500 mark :)

I think that's just Alfonso Cuaron exercising his artistic liberty with the movie. It angered me as well...

Elizabeth

Well it seems silly seeing as how he got an offical warning in Chamber of Secrets because a house elf performed a hover charm. It doesn't fit in with the laws that JK set down....

The films are not cannon – at least not where there is a discrepancy with the book, and so it can be assumed that the repeated use of Lumos was done just for effect. In the books, we only see them doing essays. To me, that makes it clear that they are not allowed to do magic outside of school, even for homework.

Liam

Thats what I thought which is why I think it's silly not to stick to the books. I always felt that was an important point and it irks me that they haven't stuck with it in the films.

Helen,

Taken care of!. :)

Jen

Here's something that gets me. Your not allowed to do magic at home - (After re-reading CoS earlier last month and read the reason why Ron is scared of spiders. Fred or George (can't remember which one :eyeroll:) turn one of Ron's toy objects into a spider because Ron broke a toy broom?. There's 2 problems with this:

1.) Blatant use of underage magic! :eyeroll:
2.) We are always told how difficult transfiguration is! I think even in second year, they are only learning how to turn beetles into buttons or something!!! yet, this occured when Ron was much younger. Not sure the exact age but from what is said, I would reckon about 3. Therefore, Fred and George would be about 4 (Obviously, the age thing is only a guess but it is an educated guess! now, how would a 4(?) year old manage to do such difficult transfiguration!? It's probably not even 4th year Hogwarts stuff! - Another point, why would such a young child have a wand???

Liam

1) Yes, that's true, but...

2) Who says they really did it on purpose? Harry blew up his aunt without trying, and without a wand. He made glass disappear, so why can't two angry little children unknowingly use magic to turn a teddy bear into a spider? They were obviously mad about the broken broom, so there was fuel for an accidental spell.

Just my opinion, don't freak out or anything.... :)

Elizabeth

Ta for that Liam, blonde moment! :eyeroll:

The filmmakers seem to put in as much magic as they can, for effect. In the book, Harry didn't use Lumos, he used a flashlight for instance.

Helen